Evangelical Christian sisters telling it… messy, true, and WONDERFUL because we are His

God Is STILL With Us

The Christmas holiday is not far behind us and we probably still have the echoes of many of the Scriptures pertaining to Jesus’ birth fresh in our minds. For me, one of those Scriptures is Matthew 1:23, which tells us that Jesus’ Name meant “God with us”.

I began to think on what that really meant and, as it often does, my mind rambled with other thoughts from there. For instance, I began to think about the majority of the 30 years, prior to the beginning of Jesus’ teaching ministry, that are pretty much left in the dark. There are some things we know…

We can read about how he was exiled into Egypt to escape the King who wanted to make sure Jesus was killed.

There is the story of how Jesus stayed behind at the temple, at the age of 12, and amazed those that heard Him speak.

Other than that, though, there is nothing mentioned about Jesus’ life, his childhood and growing up years. We are left in the dark, but I often wonder about what went on during those elusive years.

What Was Jesus Like?

I sometimes wonder if He ever skinned His knee, or hit His thumb with a hammer, and if He did, did He cry? We could certainly assume He did, as we are given glimpses into other times in which He cried.

Did He ever get angry because of the way things were going as a teenager or young adult? Again, I would vote yes, because we know that anger was an emotion He did feel. Even to the point of braiding a whip and taking action.

Did He ever have deep conversations with His mom about things we will probably only understand when we are in His presence ourselves? Truly, I’m sure that must have happened. She had always known, I think. In fact, Jesus first miracle – the turning of water into wine – was done after she spoke the instructions, “Whatever He says, do it.” How could she have not had some underlying thought of past conversations with Him?

It’s truly possible that there is MUCH that happened, even in the mundane, that simply weren’t recorded. The Bible tells us this, in John 21:25…

“And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.”

Really, that tells me all I needed to know about things done outside the scope of Scripture! What were His everyday deeds and words like? We can only assume they were much like the portion that DID get recorded. Because we know the One we follow.

Jesus Did Not Leave Us Comfortless

Jesus knew that His departure from this earth after His resurrection would leave a great many people heartbroken. He spent time with His disciples, eating with them, talking with them, and explaining things, after He had been resurrected.

There were some important things He added, however, that we need never to forget!

The first is that He would not leave us without a Comforter.

John 14:26, 15:26, and John 16:7 tell us, via Jesus’ own words, that we could receive a Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost. He would teach us, cause us to remember things and be a living testimony.

The best part about the Holy Ghost, however, is found in John 14:16 that tells us the Comforter will abide with us forever!

In essence, when the angel said that Jesus’ Name meant “God with us”, He meant, FOREVER!

The second thing is that He said He would come back! Listen to His Words here, in John 14:2-4…

“In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.”

Enjoy His Presence!

Knowing that Jesus is continually with us in the Holy Ghost is a comfort like no other! If we can begin to view our life, and all it’s ups and downs, as being followed closely by the Creator of this world, it can change our entire perspective on life!

We don’t “go to church” to meet with Jesus… He is with us!

We don’t “read the Bible” to hear from God… He is with us!

Of course, going to church and reading the Bible are important. The Scriptures speak to their place in our lives as a duty, and not just a whim. We are not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together (Hebrews 10:25) and we are to be diligent about reading God’s Word. Blood was shed and lives were lost to make sure we had the Bible to read in our own language, and we must never count it as something trivial!

Jesus walks beside us every day. If we’re having a good day, He knows and is with us. And likewise, if we are as down as is humanly possible, He is still right there, holding on to us and sheltering us under the shadow of His Wings.

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Published by Stacey Lynn

I have already walked a long and winding road, sometimes choosing the road less traveled, and sometimes choosing the wrong road altogether. Still, one fact remains... were it not for God, I would not have made it this far, if at all. I'm so thankful we serve a God of mercy and grace! Aren't you?
I am a freelance writer, blogger, author, and copywriter. My love for writing has been with me my entire life and using it to magnify Jesus and His Kingdom is a dream come true!
View all posts by Stacey Lynn

This was truly a sweet write-up to read! I love the conversational style that I enjoyed in this piece, just as if I were sitting with you, my dear Christian sister and friend, celebrating our Lord. SEBALIM SEBA